Big pay day for top private schools in cash handout

Submitted by bobb on Mon, 06/04/2009 - 2:00pm

DEBORAH SNOW
6/04/2009 12:23:30 AM

SOME of Sydney's wealthiest private schools will receive handouts of up to $200,000 each to refurbish already lavish sporting and arts facilities, under the first leg of the Federal Government's National School Pride program unveiled yesterday.

The federal Education Minister, Julia Gillard, said more than 2000 NSW schools would receive grants totalling $277.5 million to be spent on "maintenance and minor building works".

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Not all independent schools receiving the handout are wealthy. For instance, the Central Coast School for Children with Autism receives $75,000 for its playground.

But the inclusion of well-equipped private schools on the list will raise questions about equity in the Government's rush to stimulate the economy.

A spokeswoman for Ms Gillard said yesterday that "in the across the board sweep of the education revolution, we are not discriminating against school sectors. Our aim is to ensure that every school is a great school."